"Captain O'Brien? There was an officer of that name in the Royal ----s, my brother's regiment." "That was his regiment, but he resigned his commission many years ago." "I am afraid it could scarcely have been a prudent marriage." Seeing tears gathering in Emma's eyes, Lady Osborne hastened to change the conversation by speaking of other officers in the same regiment; and on mentioning a Colonel Norwood, was interested to hear that he had been a friend of the late Mr. Turner, with whom he had frequently dined. "It is a pity your aunt did not marry him instead," she observed. "But he is dead, ma'am. He left me this brooch I am wearing and also a legacy of fifty pounds." "I did not know you had fifty pounds, Emma," said Elizabeth, surprised. Miss Osborne looked her disdain, but Lady Osborne said kindly-- "It will be very useful to Miss Emma for her trousseau, in a few years; well, do not be in too great a hurry to marry, my dear." Emma blushed, and Lady Osborne, believing that it was on account of her son, grew more reserved for a few moments. Determined, however, to have fuller proof, she presently mentioned him by name, and was gratified to observe that Emma received it without any embarrassment. "Perhaps there is someone else," she thought to herself. But on sharing this surmise with Miss Osborne, during the drive home, she was surprised to find that her daughter received it with so little favour. Elizabeth and Emma shortly returned the visit, but Lady Osborne was not at home. Soon after this event, Lord Osborne sent game for Mr. Watson; Mr. Howard was not less civil with a present of fruit; and Mr. Musgrave, not to be out of the fashion, called with a basket of fish. Poor Mr. Watson was considerably surprised at finding himself become so popular all at once; but when he questioned Emma on the subject, received surprisingly little information in her reply. In the meantime, Margaret's health was occasioning not a little anxiety to her sisters. She seemed to have no interest in anything, had quite lost her appetite, and went listlessly about the house; before long she was confined to her room with a feverish attack. Elizabeth and Emma were assiduous in their care of her, and were presently rewarded, not only by her being restored to some measure of health, but also by her being rendered less irritable towards them, from a sense of gratitude for their sympathy. Just as she was beginning to come down stairs again, the Osbornes issued invitations for a ball; and the Miss Watsons were among the first to receive a card. Elizabeth had no idea but that they should go with the Edwards, and was considerably put out when she found that not only were they not going, but that Mrs. Edwards was offended at having been ignored, when the Watsons (on whom she had always looked down) had been included.